Students from Southwark College were recognised for their innovation and enterprise at this year’s Big Idea Challenge Awards, hosted by London Metropolitan University.The Big Idea Challenge is London Met’s flagship enterprise competition, supporting students and recent graduates to develop business, creative and social enterprise ideas. The 2026 awards ceremony, held in April, showcased a wide range of ventures with strong commercial potential and social impact.
Southwark College students were acknowledged for the quality of their ideas and their professionalism throughout the competition. Their participation followed a programme of preparatory workshops and mentoring delivered in partnership with London Metropolitan University’s Student Enterprise team, helping students refine their concepts, develop pitching skills and gain practical enterprise experience.
Judges described the overall standard of entries as exceptional, praising finalists for combining innovation with clear purpose. The competition celebrated both commercial and social impact ventures, highlighting the role of entrepreneurship in supporting economic growth and community benefit.
Scott Peasey, Vice Principal at Southwark College, said: “Securing three trophies is an outstanding accomplishment and a clear reflection of the high standards of teaching and learner contribution. The achievements of Second Chance AI, Eco Drop, and Sprout Kids highlight not only innovative thinking but also the strength of collaboration, resilience and enterprise skills that we strive to develop in our students. This is a milestone of what our students and staff can accomplish together.”
Among the recognised ideas were three Southwark College teams:
- Second Chance AI – transforming rejection into opportunity for prospective job applicants
- Eco Drop – encouraging bottle recycling through cash deposit incentives
- Sprout Kids – providing sustainable and affordable clothing for underprivileged families
Southwark College’s continued involvement in the Big Idea Challenge reflects its strong track record in enterprise and its partnership with London Metropolitan University. The achievements also recognise the contribution of staff, who were acknowledged with an award on the night.
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